Nectarine tree named ‘Nectarlight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectarlight’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘Nectarlight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘Nectarlight’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white flesh fruit for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘Nectarjewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380), a standard white nectarine variety, and to its seed parent ‘Nectareine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,480), a yellow nectarine tree, for reliable description. ‘Nectarlight’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘Nectarlight’ white nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested. The ‘Nectarlight’ variety resulted from a free pollination of the ‘Nectareine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,480) yellow nectarine tree, which was the seed parent. The pollen parent is unknown. ‘Nectarlight’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 03.05.67 NB and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 14, 2007 under number 1024467. It was obtained by seedling and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock tree. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it generally blooms between the 8^(th) and the 17^(th) of March under normal climatic conditions, five days after ‘Nectarjewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380).

The first fruit of ‘Nectarlight’ nectarine tree ripens in August, two weeks after ‘Nectarjewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380). More particularly, it approximately ripens between August 10^(th) and 22^(th) under normal climatic conditions. The date of maturity varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical fruit specimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows two fruit specimens of the new variety, leaves of the new variety and and a third fruit cut in half for depicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruits may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Nectarlight’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of the flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-lately in springtime. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petals are light pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is semi-late. The fruit flesh is white and its skin is very thick, featuring a luminous pink-washed red color. The stone is medium size. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to its seed parent ‘Nectareine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,480), which produces yellow nectarines, ‘Nectarlight’ produces white nectarines. ‘Nectareine’ blooms earlier than ‘Nectarlight’, between March 3^(rd) and 14^(th) under normal climatic conditions, and also ripens earlier, between July 22^(th) and 30^(th) under normal climatic conditions.

‘Nectarlight’ variety blooms 5 days after and ripens 2 weeks later than the ‘Nectarjewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380) variety. ‘Nectarlight’ also produces only 30 flowers per meter, instead of 35 and more flowers per meter for ‘Nectarjewel’. ‘Nectarjewel’ flowers are bigger. ‘Nectarlight’ fruit color is a luminous pink-washed red, whereas ‘Nectarjewel’ fruit color is darker. However, fruit shapes and tastes are very similar between both varieties, and their respective times of maturity allow ‘Nectarlight’ fruits to enter the market right after ‘Nectarjewel’ fruits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following was observed during the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) tree. More particularly, observations relative to tree, trunk, branches, leaves and fruit were done in August 2007 and August 2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growing season. Observations relative to flowers were done in March 2007 and March 2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growing season. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree: -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common             commercial nectarine cultivars. The tree size the first year             was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So             the tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm with current seasons shots             length comprised. -   Spread: Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 meters with a cylindrical shape.     The whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organisation,     with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in     a same tree line. -   Vigor: Considered vigorous. The present variety grew from about 200     cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing season. For second     and following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate     height of 250 cm. -   Productivity: Productive to very productive. Fruit set is spaced by     thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired market     sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing     climatic conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom     period, and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for     the tree valorisation. Thinning must be light because of the high     magnifying potential of fruits. Thinning was necessary every year     during the years of observation. -   Form: The ‘Nectarlight’ variety has naturally a semi-spread to     semi-upright shape. -   Density: Considered medium dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales     departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on     different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between     350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all     cases. No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as     −12 degrees Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to frosty     springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 10.0 cm and 11.0 cm in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm             above the soil level, on trees of the fifth growing season.             The branching begins at 50 cm above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with folds of             papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees of the             fourth growing season. The lenticels range in size from             approximately 5.0 millimeters to 8.0 millimeters in width,             and are about 2.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the             inside is considered brown (R.H.S. Greyed Orange 166B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C             to RHS Black 202 C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium to thick for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 6.0 to 8.0             millimeters, and branches of trees of the fourth growing             season have a diameter comprised between 26.0 and 38.0             millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 60             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Generally 25.0 millimeters to 40.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light             green (RHS Green 143 C to D) on lower part of new shoot             tips, whereas the upper part is colored in more or less             brown-red (varying from RHS Greyed Red 182 B to C). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season             growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is around 3,8.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 176.0 to 190.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 38.0 to 50.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C). -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green with a cream touch (RHS Yellow Green 145             D). -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller     leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.6 to about 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Light green shading to white (RHS Yellow Green 145 B             to C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.0             millimeters.         -   Number.—Generally 4 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers: -   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown             color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B); the corolla, formed by             the petals, is generally of pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to 69             C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of             flowering. The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. -   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years     of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with     winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The     current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or     heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in     orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average     temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in     summer. -   Date of bloom: Generally March. The first bloom was observed on Mar.     4, 2004. -   Blooming time: Considered of semi-late season in relative comparison     to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is     observed on March. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic     conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was     observed approximately on Mar. 8, 2003. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 10 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is     approximately 30.0 to 35.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately 30 flowers per     meter. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species. -   Length: Generally about 17.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally about 17.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Petal color: Light Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B to C) when young,     slightly darkening with advancing senescence. -   Fragrance: Pronounced. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slighty rounded extremity.         -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. -   Petal margins: Generally moderately undulated. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally dome-shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average             length of approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C to D). -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—A green yellow (varying from RHS Yellow 13 A to B to             RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Color.—Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 40 stamens per     flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Small in length.         -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed             Purple 178 A Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at             maturity. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color     (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The present variety is     considered self fruitful (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 6.0 to 15.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally             superior or equal to the pistil's length. -   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C     to D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to B). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters including the             ovary; Generally smaller or equal to filaments length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow             Green 150 D to RHS Yellow Green 151 D).         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 20, 2004.         -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 31, 2004. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The             ‘Nectarlight’ variety has a semi-late date of picking, and a             grouped maturity: only 2 harvests in 10 days were necessary. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, and very             homogeneous in size. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 78.0 to 80.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 69.0 to 72.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Approximately 250.0 grams. This characteristic is     high dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and therefore     is not particularly distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from pistil end. -   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and marked, extending from the base to     the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the     suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole             fruit color, a luminous pink-washed red (varying from RHS             Red Purple 59 A to B to RHS Red Purple 60 A to B). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non-prominent, depressed, very small. -   Base: Wide-mouthed, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 0.9 cm.     Average width is about 1.9 cm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious             to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of             maturity.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—The whole fruit color is a luminous pink-washed             red (varying from RHS Red Purple 59 A to B to RHS Red Purple             60 A to B) covering 100% of the fruit skin surface.         -   Ground color.—The whole fruit color is a luminous             pink-washed red (varying from RHS Red Purple 59 A to B to             RHS Red Purple 60 A to B) covering 100% of the fruit skin             surface. -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 7.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenously, slowly.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity             stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13             and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor             is considered aromatic.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White Group N155A) with a             star-shaped red pigmentation into and around the stone             cavity (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A to B). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 30.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 22.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, with a small prominent tip. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form and     dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered an orange to red-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 173 C             to D). -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low, depending on     climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light orange-yellow (RHS Greyed             Orange 166 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B).             The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The             kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘Nectarlight’ is considered to be a     nectarine tree of the semi-late season of maturity, and which     produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored.     Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked     consumption, crunchy or melting when at full maturity. Due to their     flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized     as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than one week     on tree before harvest and then, has stored well more than 4 weeks     after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and     a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 weeks to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. 